“In my vision, black students just needed a home away from home,” said Dr. Frank Hale, Jr., emeritus vice-provost for Minority Affairs.
And that home, at Ohio State, is the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center.
Located in the heart of south campus, the Hale Center has been considered a second home to many in the African American community and an established part of the OSU campus. It started off as an idea in 1972, but because of lack of support by the administration, laid dormant until 1982, when the actual planning for the Hale Center began. In 1989, the Hale Center was born.
Named after Hale for his accomplishments and progress within the black and university communities, the Hale Center is seen by many as the epitome of black cultural arts, academics and achievement.
“What’s unique about this center is that it is one of the few, if not only, free standing black cultural centers in the nation,” said Ron Parker, programming manager.
The Hale Center stands on approximately 18,800 square feet. It boasts a general computer lab equipped for more than 20 students, a research lab, a reading room, four classrooms and an open forum ideal for lectures, presentations and even plays.
“The building has been newly renovated,” Parker said. “We have two LCD projector screens that come down from the ceiling, for presentations and documentaries.”
The Hale Center has a stage that has been used to host lectures and cultural theater. This past week, the Hale Center presented a one-woman play titled, “Welcome Home, Marian Anderson.”
The center’s commitment to the arts is evident in its interior design. With more than 100 pieces of museum quality artwork, the Hale Center displays the work of established artists such as Elijah Pierce and Dr. Samella Lewis, an OSU alumna who is known for being the first black woman to receive a doctorate in fine arts and art history. It also hosts the works of the local artists and collegiate students.
“In conjunction with the Hale Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Epsilon Chapter is hosting its 3rd Annual Art Exhibition,” said Brandy Nickens, chairwoman of the art exhibition.
The art exhibition will be open until late May, and includes 10 collegiate artists and more than 50 high school students from the Columbus arts group CAPACITY.
“Dr. Lewis donated 36 pieces of museum-quality African artwork and artifacts,” said Larry Williamson, director of the Hale Center.
“Local artists pitched in and donated artwork to Frank Hale, and his legacy,” he said.
Another unique feature about the center is its commitment to not only to culture, but to academics as well.
“According to the National Association of Black Cultural Centers, we are ranked in the top three across the nation,” Williamson said. “Some people even rank us No.1 because of our focus on both culture and academics.”
The center has had the privilege of hosting a number of lectures from the likes of Nikki Giovanni, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Maxine Waters, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole and Andrew Young.
On average, five courses per quarter use the Hale Center as their classroom location. Departments such as African American and African studies, art education, women’s studies, international education and history all make use of the Hale Center classrooms on a regular basis.
For some students, having the class located there is what exposed them to the Hale Center. For others it is the programming that draws them in.
“Office of Minority Affairs does about 10 to 15 percent of the programming here at the center,” Williamson said. “The rest of it is done by the university-at-large, student organizations as well as the general Columbus community.”
The annual Thanksgiving dinner was originally housed in the Hale Center, but because of its growth in participation from students has been relocated to the Ohio Union and other facilities to accommodate all students.
Regular programs include monthly “Sister Series” hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Epsilon Chapter, the quarterly “Midnight Breakfast” study break by Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., African American Voices choir practice, as well as study tables.
“Alpha Psi Lambda, a Latino fraternity, also makes good use of the cultural center,”Parker said. “It pleases me when those outside of the black culture can feel welcome to host their events and come together in the Hale Center.”
To make even those who are not hosting programs, and are just stopping by feel welcome, the Hale Center has a designated “greeter” on duty to truly welcome visitors into the Hale Center.
“Every time I’m here, it’s like a family reunion,” said Tariq Seifullah, a senior in technology education. “I know I have a family here that cares about my well-being academically and culturally.”
Within his vision for the center, Hale said he wanted students to come together, regardless of color or creed, and learn not only from black culture and the accomplishments of blacks in the past, but to learn from those unlike themselves.
“You need a place where you can not only work, but interact with those of your culture,” said Alycia Hunter, a senior in international studies and African American African studies. “You can also interact with those of other cultures as well – that’s the true beauty of the Hale Center.”
Some students on the campus might not understand why having a building such as the Hale Center on campus is necessary. At a campus where diversity is held to the highest esteem, it would seem that the necessity for a culture center would be minimal. However, many minority students feel that it is the presence of this mere building that puts them at ease.
“For some, this campus is a totally new environment,” said Ashlee Young, a sophomore in nutrition pre-medicine. “Some black students may be the only blacks in their class. The center gives them the comfort of seeing others who look just like they do.”
In the future, the Hale Center hopes to further extend Hale’s vision with the addition of a second floor, a gift shop, an outdoor sculpture garden and a graduate-level historic research library.
“One of our greatest joys here at the Black Cultural Center is when the alumni come back,” Williamson said. “The excitement and amazement that they show for the center, proves that we are not only maintaining, but still achieving.”
